DETERMINATION OF TRITIUM IN VEGETATION IN THE OBSERVATION AREA OF REACTOR WWR-K IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

In assessing the impact of radiation-hazardous facilities on the environment and humans, considerable attention is currently paid to the problem of tritium and its compounds intake. It is important to note that to date there are no effective industrial technologies for efficient capture of this radionuclide. As a result, all the tritium produced during the operation of nuclear power plants with emissions and discharges is released into the environment. This leads to increased tritium concentrations in the environment, including vegetation. The aim of this work is to develop and adapt a set of methods for sample preparation and determination of tritium in vegetation samples. Methodology: A special Carbolite Gero MTT tube furnace was used to improve sample preparation methods and maximise the recovery of organically bound tritium from vegetation. Tritium was measured by liquid scintillation beta spectrometry. Results and Discussion: This research paper presents the results of the study and implementation of the method of tritium determination in vegetation near the VVR-K reactor located in the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Conclusions: The developed method of tritium determination in vegetation can be applied for radiation monitoring of tritium content and its compounds in the vicinity of nuclear industrial facilities. The presented data emphasise the need for systematic studies of tritium accumulation in environmental components. It is expected that in the future, using the implemented method, the studied area will be studied in detail, taking into account an extended set of factors: meteorological conditions, reactor operation mode and others. Thus, for a more complete and reliable assessment of tritium radionuclide activity determination, it is necessary to carry out works to determine the type of vegetation accumulating this isotope.